At the beginning of March, some
people posted to the comp.sys.hp48 newsgroup that they discovered
a German HP web site advertising a new scientific calculator.
Dubbed the HP6S, this entry-level unit will come either battery-
or solar- and battery-powered (presumably with the solar cell
recharging the battery). The translated German indicates that
this machine is for students and professionals and handles
fraction calculations. Later newsgroup postings from others
mentioned that "reliable sources" insist this has
indeed been designed by HP's Australian Calculator Operation
(ACO), and not simply a rebadged unit from another manufacturer
(whew!).

Hewlett-Packard Company Splits
In Two

Also earlier in March, it was
announced that Hewlett-Packard would be dividing itself up into
two separate companies; with the computer, imaging and printing
divisions remaining under the HP name. The groups to be separated
would be electronic instruments and medical, and this company has
been only referred to as the "New Measurement Company"
in HP press releases. It was later mentioned by those in the know
that the Australian ACO would remain under the HP name. Despite
the fact that computers have outsold instruments at HP by five to
one, it is sad that such a split would have to occur in order to
allow the smaller group to have greater autonomy and market
speed. Of course, it was instruments on which the company was
founded sixty years ago.

Another Handheld Conference
This Year

A recent email sent by Megha Shyam
(of DaVinci Technologies) indicated that the groundwork is being
laid for another HP Users Conference in the Pacific Northwest.
They are looking toward the August time frame.

Megha elaborates:

Possible Topics -

A new machine from HP? may be

With active HP
participation, a panel discussion

Palmtops, Palm Pilots and
new directions?

Use of Technology in
Education?

Programming contest

Looks like something new from HP
later this year might be of interest to us. Stay tuned.

"HP Shooting Itself In The
Foot", Part II

Last month I mentioned that on Jim
Lawson's behalf, I emailed Jeff Blough, HP's U.S. Sales &
Marketing manager for calculators. The purpose was to inquire how
they could be selling calculators direct via their website in
direct competition with their own dealers. Jeff did respond with
a thoughtful email, but the content left something to be desired.
He began with:

"Our market research has
identified a particular segment of consumers who

prefer to buy directly from
the manufacturer....Retail of any type (both

retail outlets and dealers)
continues to be the preferred channel for

most of our customers. Our
number one priority is to our customers and

making sure we can provide
product where they expect to find product....

In surfing the net, there are
other dealers who offer far lower pricing

than we do. Of course, I
cannot control their final pricing. Plus we

require a $5.00 shipping fee
on top of each order...."

So, basically they want their cake
and to eat it too. It boggles the mind that they could think
their dealers won't suffer with the loss of customers to HP
directly.

On the other hand, Jeff also
mentioned in the email:

"Hope all is well with
you and look forward to seeing you again this

year at the Users' Conference.
(Stay tuned for news on that)....

You can look forward to new
product this year and a fun User's

Conference."

Perhaps they can make up for those
"foot injuries" by rewarding their impatient HP48GX
users with a successor.